Cara/Andrea here,
It's summer season here in the States, and we're all thinking of beaches and sun . . . which got me thinking about hats. Now,
when we historical authors dress our Regency heroes for daily life, sunny or otherwise, only the best will do—boots by Hoby, coats by Weston, pistols by Manton . . . and, of course, hats by Lock & Co.
On my last trip to London, I spent a lot of time strolling along St. James’s Street, which for any Regency aficionado, is pure bliss. Many of the famous shops of the era are still there, including Lock & Co. which is located at No. 6, sitting cheek to jowl with another legendary purveyor of gentlemanly staples—Berry Brothers and Rudd, the famous wine and spirits merchants. Part of No. 6 is still called “The Kiln” because a noted maker of ceramic figurines worked there before James Lock bought his freehold in 1764. (Another arcane but fun fact is that the emporium was built on the site of an old real tennis court constructed for Charles I.) Other neighbors are Truefitt and Hill for men’s grooming essentials, and White’s, the quintessential gentleman’s club.
Lock and Co. has a long and colorful history, as befits the oldest hat emporium in the world. (It’s also one of the oldest family-owned businesses.) And its illustrious client list includes Sir Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin and Princess Kate.
It was founded in 1676, when the Locks, a prosperous merchant family, moved to the western part of London after the Great Plague and Fire of 1666. They took up the freehold lese of seven houses on St. James’s Street, near St. James’s Palace—which to this day has remained the official royal residence of the sovereign of Great Britain, though Buckingham Palace has been used by the Royal family since Queen Victoria took up residence in 1837.) Their neighbor was Robert Davis, a hatter, and the two tradesmen families worked side by side for many years.
I
n 1747, James Lock, the grandson of the original Lock patriarch was apprenticed to the Davis clan to learn the trade. As the Davis patriarch had no son, James was groomed to take over the business, and dutifully married Davis’s daughter. During the Seven Years War, he earned a reputation as an excellent military hatter—the officers of many regiments were responsible for purchasing their own supplies.
Men of the Lock family served in the Grenadier Guards during the Peninsular War. But perhaps the most famous snippet from the store’s history during the Napoleonic Wars involves Admiral Horatio Nelson. He designed a special seagoing hat to his own specifications—including a fold-down eyepatch for his bad eye—and placed an order for it with Lock & Co., providing a detailed sketch and notes for them to follow. Alas, it was never picked up, as Nelson and Victory sailed to the Battle of Trafalgar before he returned to England. (A facsimile is on display in the store, along with a copy of the instructions.)
Family history gets a little complicated during the next century, with financial troubles and lawsuits threatening the emporium’s existence. Suffice it to say, the problems were ironed out and today, there are still seven Lock family members involved with the company. Recently, when one of them was asked if the shop would ever be put to another use, he indignantly replied, “Pack the place in, d’you mean? After three hundred years? Not bloody likely! If the Duke of Bedford can keep his family chateau in business we can do the same for ours!”
Here are some of my favorite "hat history" highlights from the Lock & Co. website:
The Bowler Hat
The Bowler, or more properly the Coke hat, was first made by Lock and Co. in 1850 for William Coke, who wanted a stout hat for gamekeepers that would withstand knocks from overhanging tree branches. (Its crown is hardened by numerous layers of shellac.) He also insisted its brim be small, so as not to catch in the wind and be blown off. Legend has it that Coke jumped up and down on the “Bowler” (the name of the actual hatter who fashioned it for Lock) and when he couldn’t crush it announced he was satisfied.
The Straw Boater
The Boater is patterned after the hats issued to naval midshipmen in the late nineteenth century, though the naval hats were floppier and designed for sun protection.
The Trilby
The Trilby is named after the female heroine in a novel by George du Maurier, which was serialized in Harper’s New Monthly Magazine. Made of soft felt, it became very popular in the early twentieth century as men adopted a more casual, modern look.
Some of the couture creations of the present store are truly works of art, but I confess, I never wear a hat except for sun protection—and then it tends to be a very mundane baseball cap. What about you? Are hats part of your wardrobe? Do you wear them as a fashion statement, or are you like me and wear one for purely practical reasons. Do you have any favorite hat style from history? I love the military-style shakos with ostrich plumes that a Regency heroine would wear for riding.
I live in California. When I was growing up, nobody I knew wanted to wear a hat; we all wanted those sunstreaks in our hair, for one thing. My mother made me wear a hat on the one or two occasions we went to church, and that’s probably why I quit going; I associated it with hats, gloves, nylons in 95 degree heat and white shoes that pinched. I hated fussy clothes with a passion because they made me feel even more imperfect.
I’ve quit working now and I don’t have to go anywhere I don’t want to go, and so I don’t have to have any clothes I would have to wear to go there. Let the ladies at the charity shop have the good of them; I’ll stick with my jeans, tees and sweaters!
Oddly enough, now that I don’t have to cope with dress or business clothes, I love to look at fashion photography. It’s art now; I don’t have to take it personally, so these days I never miss an issue of In Style, Vanity Fair, Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar.
I live in California. When I was growing up, nobody I knew wanted to wear a hat; we all wanted those sunstreaks in our hair, for one thing. My mother made me wear a hat on the one or two occasions we went to church, and that’s probably why I quit going; I associated it with hats, gloves, nylons in 95 degree heat and white shoes that pinched. I hated fussy clothes with a passion because they made me feel even more imperfect.
I’ve quit working now and I don’t have to go anywhere I don’t want to go, and so I don’t have to have any clothes I would have to wear to go there. Let the ladies at the charity shop have the good of them; I’ll stick with my jeans, tees and sweaters!
Oddly enough, now that I don’t have to cope with dress or business clothes, I love to look at fashion photography. It’s art now; I don’t have to take it personally, so these days I never miss an issue of In Style, Vanity Fair, Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar.
I live in California. When I was growing up, nobody I knew wanted to wear a hat; we all wanted those sunstreaks in our hair, for one thing. My mother made me wear a hat on the one or two occasions we went to church, and that’s probably why I quit going; I associated it with hats, gloves, nylons in 95 degree heat and white shoes that pinched. I hated fussy clothes with a passion because they made me feel even more imperfect.
I’ve quit working now and I don’t have to go anywhere I don’t want to go, and so I don’t have to have any clothes I would have to wear to go there. Let the ladies at the charity shop have the good of them; I’ll stick with my jeans, tees and sweaters!
Oddly enough, now that I don’t have to cope with dress or business clothes, I love to look at fashion photography. It’s art now; I don’t have to take it personally, so these days I never miss an issue of In Style, Vanity Fair, Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar.
I live in California. When I was growing up, nobody I knew wanted to wear a hat; we all wanted those sunstreaks in our hair, for one thing. My mother made me wear a hat on the one or two occasions we went to church, and that’s probably why I quit going; I associated it with hats, gloves, nylons in 95 degree heat and white shoes that pinched. I hated fussy clothes with a passion because they made me feel even more imperfect.
I’ve quit working now and I don’t have to go anywhere I don’t want to go, and so I don’t have to have any clothes I would have to wear to go there. Let the ladies at the charity shop have the good of them; I’ll stick with my jeans, tees and sweaters!
Oddly enough, now that I don’t have to cope with dress or business clothes, I love to look at fashion photography. It’s art now; I don’t have to take it personally, so these days I never miss an issue of In Style, Vanity Fair, Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar.
I live in California. When I was growing up, nobody I knew wanted to wear a hat; we all wanted those sunstreaks in our hair, for one thing. My mother made me wear a hat on the one or two occasions we went to church, and that’s probably why I quit going; I associated it with hats, gloves, nylons in 95 degree heat and white shoes that pinched. I hated fussy clothes with a passion because they made me feel even more imperfect.
I’ve quit working now and I don’t have to go anywhere I don’t want to go, and so I don’t have to have any clothes I would have to wear to go there. Let the ladies at the charity shop have the good of them; I’ll stick with my jeans, tees and sweaters!
Oddly enough, now that I don’t have to cope with dress or business clothes, I love to look at fashion photography. It’s art now; I don’t have to take it personally, so these days I never miss an issue of In Style, Vanity Fair, Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar.
I live in the UK, and have worn hats to weddings and to the races. But these days I rarely wear a hat – I bought a close fitting warm one in the winter which I wore only when it was very cold, and I’ll wear a large-brimmed material or straw one if I’m in sitting in the sun this summer (to keep the sun out of my eyes and off the back of my neck). Otherwise, I don’t wear hats.
I remember reading books from the early 20th century in which a man could not go out without a hat or cap – it might have been The 39 Steps in which the man was obviously a fugitive because he was hurrying down the street bare-headed!
The other garment which used to be de rigueur and is now rarely worn except for practicality is gloves. I remember reading books from the early 20th century in which both men and women had to keep track of their gloves, wearing the right ones for the occasion and keeping them clean.
I live in the UK, and have worn hats to weddings and to the races. But these days I rarely wear a hat – I bought a close fitting warm one in the winter which I wore only when it was very cold, and I’ll wear a large-brimmed material or straw one if I’m in sitting in the sun this summer (to keep the sun out of my eyes and off the back of my neck). Otherwise, I don’t wear hats.
I remember reading books from the early 20th century in which a man could not go out without a hat or cap – it might have been The 39 Steps in which the man was obviously a fugitive because he was hurrying down the street bare-headed!
The other garment which used to be de rigueur and is now rarely worn except for practicality is gloves. I remember reading books from the early 20th century in which both men and women had to keep track of their gloves, wearing the right ones for the occasion and keeping them clean.
I live in the UK, and have worn hats to weddings and to the races. But these days I rarely wear a hat – I bought a close fitting warm one in the winter which I wore only when it was very cold, and I’ll wear a large-brimmed material or straw one if I’m in sitting in the sun this summer (to keep the sun out of my eyes and off the back of my neck). Otherwise, I don’t wear hats.
I remember reading books from the early 20th century in which a man could not go out without a hat or cap – it might have been The 39 Steps in which the man was obviously a fugitive because he was hurrying down the street bare-headed!
The other garment which used to be de rigueur and is now rarely worn except for practicality is gloves. I remember reading books from the early 20th century in which both men and women had to keep track of their gloves, wearing the right ones for the occasion and keeping them clean.
I live in the UK, and have worn hats to weddings and to the races. But these days I rarely wear a hat – I bought a close fitting warm one in the winter which I wore only when it was very cold, and I’ll wear a large-brimmed material or straw one if I’m in sitting in the sun this summer (to keep the sun out of my eyes and off the back of my neck). Otherwise, I don’t wear hats.
I remember reading books from the early 20th century in which a man could not go out without a hat or cap – it might have been The 39 Steps in which the man was obviously a fugitive because he was hurrying down the street bare-headed!
The other garment which used to be de rigueur and is now rarely worn except for practicality is gloves. I remember reading books from the early 20th century in which both men and women had to keep track of their gloves, wearing the right ones for the occasion and keeping them clean.
I live in the UK, and have worn hats to weddings and to the races. But these days I rarely wear a hat – I bought a close fitting warm one in the winter which I wore only when it was very cold, and I’ll wear a large-brimmed material or straw one if I’m in sitting in the sun this summer (to keep the sun out of my eyes and off the back of my neck). Otherwise, I don’t wear hats.
I remember reading books from the early 20th century in which a man could not go out without a hat or cap – it might have been The 39 Steps in which the man was obviously a fugitive because he was hurrying down the street bare-headed!
The other garment which used to be de rigueur and is now rarely worn except for practicality is gloves. I remember reading books from the early 20th century in which both men and women had to keep track of their gloves, wearing the right ones for the occasion and keeping them clean.
A baseball cap type hat is fine for walks in the sun. A heavy hat or hood when it is snowing. I do love to see the ladies in their fancy hats, but some hats lately are not fit for the horses. Dee
A baseball cap type hat is fine for walks in the sun. A heavy hat or hood when it is snowing. I do love to see the ladies in their fancy hats, but some hats lately are not fit for the horses. Dee
A baseball cap type hat is fine for walks in the sun. A heavy hat or hood when it is snowing. I do love to see the ladies in their fancy hats, but some hats lately are not fit for the horses. Dee
A baseball cap type hat is fine for walks in the sun. A heavy hat or hood when it is snowing. I do love to see the ladies in their fancy hats, but some hats lately are not fit for the horses. Dee
A baseball cap type hat is fine for walks in the sun. A heavy hat or hood when it is snowing. I do love to see the ladies in their fancy hats, but some hats lately are not fit for the horses. Dee
Janice, I’m a jeans and t-shirt girl too—am all for comfort. Hated getting dressed up as a kid, and really didn’t like girly-girly hats. Nowadays, I enjoy getting “cleaned up” and gussied up in a dress or skirt, but still haven’t overcome the hat thing—I l think I look silly in fancy ones, but do enjoy seeing the younger Royals all decked out.
Janice, I’m a jeans and t-shirt girl too—am all for comfort. Hated getting dressed up as a kid, and really didn’t like girly-girly hats. Nowadays, I enjoy getting “cleaned up” and gussied up in a dress or skirt, but still haven’t overcome the hat thing—I l think I look silly in fancy ones, but do enjoy seeing the younger Royals all decked out.
Janice, I’m a jeans and t-shirt girl too—am all for comfort. Hated getting dressed up as a kid, and really didn’t like girly-girly hats. Nowadays, I enjoy getting “cleaned up” and gussied up in a dress or skirt, but still haven’t overcome the hat thing—I l think I look silly in fancy ones, but do enjoy seeing the younger Royals all decked out.
Janice, I’m a jeans and t-shirt girl too—am all for comfort. Hated getting dressed up as a kid, and really didn’t like girly-girly hats. Nowadays, I enjoy getting “cleaned up” and gussied up in a dress or skirt, but still haven’t overcome the hat thing—I l think I look silly in fancy ones, but do enjoy seeing the younger Royals all decked out.
Janice, I’m a jeans and t-shirt girl too—am all for comfort. Hated getting dressed up as a kid, and really didn’t like girly-girly hats. Nowadays, I enjoy getting “cleaned up” and gussied up in a dress or skirt, but still haven’t overcome the hat thing—I l think I look silly in fancy ones, but do enjoy seeing the younger Royals all decked out.
HJ, Yes, I wear a knitted cap too for winter, but like you, am mostly bare-headed unless I am outdoors in the sun for a long time, like playing golf or tennis, or walking the beach.!
It’s so true about men and hats. I still remember when I was very young, my father wore a fedora to work every day. But that quickly changed. Now I very rarely see a man wearing anything but a baseball hat (wouldn’t mind the old rules that required them to remove their caps when they come into a restaurant!)
As for gloves, I wore white gloves for dancing school. The memory is making me choke on my morning coffee,
HJ, Yes, I wear a knitted cap too for winter, but like you, am mostly bare-headed unless I am outdoors in the sun for a long time, like playing golf or tennis, or walking the beach.!
It’s so true about men and hats. I still remember when I was very young, my father wore a fedora to work every day. But that quickly changed. Now I very rarely see a man wearing anything but a baseball hat (wouldn’t mind the old rules that required them to remove their caps when they come into a restaurant!)
As for gloves, I wore white gloves for dancing school. The memory is making me choke on my morning coffee,
HJ, Yes, I wear a knitted cap too for winter, but like you, am mostly bare-headed unless I am outdoors in the sun for a long time, like playing golf or tennis, or walking the beach.!
It’s so true about men and hats. I still remember when I was very young, my father wore a fedora to work every day. But that quickly changed. Now I very rarely see a man wearing anything but a baseball hat (wouldn’t mind the old rules that required them to remove their caps when they come into a restaurant!)
As for gloves, I wore white gloves for dancing school. The memory is making me choke on my morning coffee,
HJ, Yes, I wear a knitted cap too for winter, but like you, am mostly bare-headed unless I am outdoors in the sun for a long time, like playing golf or tennis, or walking the beach.!
It’s so true about men and hats. I still remember when I was very young, my father wore a fedora to work every day. But that quickly changed. Now I very rarely see a man wearing anything but a baseball hat (wouldn’t mind the old rules that required them to remove their caps when they come into a restaurant!)
As for gloves, I wore white gloves for dancing school. The memory is making me choke on my morning coffee,
HJ, Yes, I wear a knitted cap too for winter, but like you, am mostly bare-headed unless I am outdoors in the sun for a long time, like playing golf or tennis, or walking the beach.!
It’s so true about men and hats. I still remember when I was very young, my father wore a fedora to work every day. But that quickly changed. Now I very rarely see a man wearing anything but a baseball hat (wouldn’t mind the old rules that required them to remove their caps when they come into a restaurant!)
As for gloves, I wore white gloves for dancing school. The memory is making me choke on my morning coffee,
Ha, ha, ha, Dee. You’re right—some of the avant garde creations these days would spook any horse. But it’s fun to see photos of Ascot for the hats. Not that I would ever consider wearing one of them.
Ha, ha, ha, Dee. You’re right—some of the avant garde creations these days would spook any horse. But it’s fun to see photos of Ascot for the hats. Not that I would ever consider wearing one of them.
Ha, ha, ha, Dee. You’re right—some of the avant garde creations these days would spook any horse. But it’s fun to see photos of Ascot for the hats. Not that I would ever consider wearing one of them.
Ha, ha, ha, Dee. You’re right—some of the avant garde creations these days would spook any horse. But it’s fun to see photos of Ascot for the hats. Not that I would ever consider wearing one of them.
Ha, ha, ha, Dee. You’re right—some of the avant garde creations these days would spook any horse. But it’s fun to see photos of Ascot for the hats. Not that I would ever consider wearing one of them.
What a fabulous post, Andrea! I had no idea how much I didn’t know about hats. *G* I like the cleverness of Nelson’s fold down eyepatch; a pity he didn’t get to benefit by it.
I don’t love having things on my head other than hair, but I grew up in the north, where hats were essential in winter. I now have several knits beret type hats that I can wear in the cold, than stuff into my handbag when I go inside.
In bright sun, I wear wide brimmed fabric hats, again stuffable, Since I don’t love sunglasses, either, a wide brim often spares me from wearing them. So my hats are for practicality–but I do enjoy watching people who wear them well!
What a fabulous post, Andrea! I had no idea how much I didn’t know about hats. *G* I like the cleverness of Nelson’s fold down eyepatch; a pity he didn’t get to benefit by it.
I don’t love having things on my head other than hair, but I grew up in the north, where hats were essential in winter. I now have several knits beret type hats that I can wear in the cold, than stuff into my handbag when I go inside.
In bright sun, I wear wide brimmed fabric hats, again stuffable, Since I don’t love sunglasses, either, a wide brim often spares me from wearing them. So my hats are for practicality–but I do enjoy watching people who wear them well!
What a fabulous post, Andrea! I had no idea how much I didn’t know about hats. *G* I like the cleverness of Nelson’s fold down eyepatch; a pity he didn’t get to benefit by it.
I don’t love having things on my head other than hair, but I grew up in the north, where hats were essential in winter. I now have several knits beret type hats that I can wear in the cold, than stuff into my handbag when I go inside.
In bright sun, I wear wide brimmed fabric hats, again stuffable, Since I don’t love sunglasses, either, a wide brim often spares me from wearing them. So my hats are for practicality–but I do enjoy watching people who wear them well!
What a fabulous post, Andrea! I had no idea how much I didn’t know about hats. *G* I like the cleverness of Nelson’s fold down eyepatch; a pity he didn’t get to benefit by it.
I don’t love having things on my head other than hair, but I grew up in the north, where hats were essential in winter. I now have several knits beret type hats that I can wear in the cold, than stuff into my handbag when I go inside.
In bright sun, I wear wide brimmed fabric hats, again stuffable, Since I don’t love sunglasses, either, a wide brim often spares me from wearing them. So my hats are for practicality–but I do enjoy watching people who wear them well!
What a fabulous post, Andrea! I had no idea how much I didn’t know about hats. *G* I like the cleverness of Nelson’s fold down eyepatch; a pity he didn’t get to benefit by it.
I don’t love having things on my head other than hair, but I grew up in the north, where hats were essential in winter. I now have several knits beret type hats that I can wear in the cold, than stuff into my handbag when I go inside.
In bright sun, I wear wide brimmed fabric hats, again stuffable, Since I don’t love sunglasses, either, a wide brim often spares me from wearing them. So my hats are for practicality–but I do enjoy watching people who wear them well!
I know the term mad hatter came from the fact that something in the process of making hats did litterally cause the hatter to suffer some sort of mental illness but it obviously didn’t affect the Locks if they have kept their business all these years!The only hats I wear these days are woolly ones rammed on to keep me warm and or dry whilst battling the elements with the dog.Part of my school uniform was a panama hat in the summer and a much hated beret in the winter,generally pinned to the back of my head with my hair back combed over the front of it.I remember at least two detentions for that!As for when hats and gloves were the thing my mother always used to tell us that her grandmother did not approve of her because she dared to take her mother visiting on a summer sunday without wearing any !!Possibly wasn’t allowed any cake with her tea!
I know the term mad hatter came from the fact that something in the process of making hats did litterally cause the hatter to suffer some sort of mental illness but it obviously didn’t affect the Locks if they have kept their business all these years!The only hats I wear these days are woolly ones rammed on to keep me warm and or dry whilst battling the elements with the dog.Part of my school uniform was a panama hat in the summer and a much hated beret in the winter,generally pinned to the back of my head with my hair back combed over the front of it.I remember at least two detentions for that!As for when hats and gloves were the thing my mother always used to tell us that her grandmother did not approve of her because she dared to take her mother visiting on a summer sunday without wearing any !!Possibly wasn’t allowed any cake with her tea!
I know the term mad hatter came from the fact that something in the process of making hats did litterally cause the hatter to suffer some sort of mental illness but it obviously didn’t affect the Locks if they have kept their business all these years!The only hats I wear these days are woolly ones rammed on to keep me warm and or dry whilst battling the elements with the dog.Part of my school uniform was a panama hat in the summer and a much hated beret in the winter,generally pinned to the back of my head with my hair back combed over the front of it.I remember at least two detentions for that!As for when hats and gloves were the thing my mother always used to tell us that her grandmother did not approve of her because she dared to take her mother visiting on a summer sunday without wearing any !!Possibly wasn’t allowed any cake with her tea!
I know the term mad hatter came from the fact that something in the process of making hats did litterally cause the hatter to suffer some sort of mental illness but it obviously didn’t affect the Locks if they have kept their business all these years!The only hats I wear these days are woolly ones rammed on to keep me warm and or dry whilst battling the elements with the dog.Part of my school uniform was a panama hat in the summer and a much hated beret in the winter,generally pinned to the back of my head with my hair back combed over the front of it.I remember at least two detentions for that!As for when hats and gloves were the thing my mother always used to tell us that her grandmother did not approve of her because she dared to take her mother visiting on a summer sunday without wearing any !!Possibly wasn’t allowed any cake with her tea!
I know the term mad hatter came from the fact that something in the process of making hats did litterally cause the hatter to suffer some sort of mental illness but it obviously didn’t affect the Locks if they have kept their business all these years!The only hats I wear these days are woolly ones rammed on to keep me warm and or dry whilst battling the elements with the dog.Part of my school uniform was a panama hat in the summer and a much hated beret in the winter,generally pinned to the back of my head with my hair back combed over the front of it.I remember at least two detentions for that!As for when hats and gloves were the thing my mother always used to tell us that her grandmother did not approve of her because she dared to take her mother visiting on a summer sunday without wearing any !!Possibly wasn’t allowed any cake with her tea!
Thanks for this fascinating post! Hats used to be much more important than they are now, it seems.
I have such big head that hats tend to look bad on me; while I love floppy sun hats it is almost impossible to find one in which I look good. I am just glad that I did not live at a time when I would have had to wear hats nearly all the time outdoors. It would have been very frustrating.
Thanks for this fascinating post! Hats used to be much more important than they are now, it seems.
I have such big head that hats tend to look bad on me; while I love floppy sun hats it is almost impossible to find one in which I look good. I am just glad that I did not live at a time when I would have had to wear hats nearly all the time outdoors. It would have been very frustrating.
Thanks for this fascinating post! Hats used to be much more important than they are now, it seems.
I have such big head that hats tend to look bad on me; while I love floppy sun hats it is almost impossible to find one in which I look good. I am just glad that I did not live at a time when I would have had to wear hats nearly all the time outdoors. It would have been very frustrating.
Thanks for this fascinating post! Hats used to be much more important than they are now, it seems.
I have such big head that hats tend to look bad on me; while I love floppy sun hats it is almost impossible to find one in which I look good. I am just glad that I did not live at a time when I would have had to wear hats nearly all the time outdoors. It would have been very frustrating.
Thanks for this fascinating post! Hats used to be much more important than they are now, it seems.
I have such big head that hats tend to look bad on me; while I love floppy sun hats it is almost impossible to find one in which I look good. I am just glad that I did not live at a time when I would have had to wear hats nearly all the time outdoors. It would have been very frustrating.
Mary Jo, I too felt it sad that after all that creative work, poor Nelson never got to test drive his custom lid. (I’m sure he wasn’t all that happy, either, LOL)
I do like to shade my face when in the sun (just like our regency heroines, but more for health reasons than for vanity) but with a very simple creation. I just saw an exhibit on Edwardian opulence, which included lots of photos of women dressed for presentation at court. OMG, the hats and heavy trains. It’s a wonder they could move under all that stuff. Ugh.
Mary Jo, I too felt it sad that after all that creative work, poor Nelson never got to test drive his custom lid. (I’m sure he wasn’t all that happy, either, LOL)
I do like to shade my face when in the sun (just like our regency heroines, but more for health reasons than for vanity) but with a very simple creation. I just saw an exhibit on Edwardian opulence, which included lots of photos of women dressed for presentation at court. OMG, the hats and heavy trains. It’s a wonder they could move under all that stuff. Ugh.
Mary Jo, I too felt it sad that after all that creative work, poor Nelson never got to test drive his custom lid. (I’m sure he wasn’t all that happy, either, LOL)
I do like to shade my face when in the sun (just like our regency heroines, but more for health reasons than for vanity) but with a very simple creation. I just saw an exhibit on Edwardian opulence, which included lots of photos of women dressed for presentation at court. OMG, the hats and heavy trains. It’s a wonder they could move under all that stuff. Ugh.
Mary Jo, I too felt it sad that after all that creative work, poor Nelson never got to test drive his custom lid. (I’m sure he wasn’t all that happy, either, LOL)
I do like to shade my face when in the sun (just like our regency heroines, but more for health reasons than for vanity) but with a very simple creation. I just saw an exhibit on Edwardian opulence, which included lots of photos of women dressed for presentation at court. OMG, the hats and heavy trains. It’s a wonder they could move under all that stuff. Ugh.
Mary Jo, I too felt it sad that after all that creative work, poor Nelson never got to test drive his custom lid. (I’m sure he wasn’t all that happy, either, LOL)
I do like to shade my face when in the sun (just like our regency heroines, but more for health reasons than for vanity) but with a very simple creation. I just saw an exhibit on Edwardian opulence, which included lots of photos of women dressed for presentation at court. OMG, the hats and heavy trains. It’s a wonder they could move under all that stuff. Ugh.
I think we all seem very happy that formalities have relaxed in this day. Hats, gloves . . .I would have shed them as soon as I was out of sight of my mother. Granted, when I see old movies, the men and women look very elegant with all their fashionable accessories, but I prefer simplicity for myself.
I think we all seem very happy that formalities have relaxed in this day. Hats, gloves . . .I would have shed them as soon as I was out of sight of my mother. Granted, when I see old movies, the men and women look very elegant with all their fashionable accessories, but I prefer simplicity for myself.
I think we all seem very happy that formalities have relaxed in this day. Hats, gloves . . .I would have shed them as soon as I was out of sight of my mother. Granted, when I see old movies, the men and women look very elegant with all their fashionable accessories, but I prefer simplicity for myself.
I think we all seem very happy that formalities have relaxed in this day. Hats, gloves . . .I would have shed them as soon as I was out of sight of my mother. Granted, when I see old movies, the men and women look very elegant with all their fashionable accessories, but I prefer simplicity for myself.
I think we all seem very happy that formalities have relaxed in this day. Hats, gloves . . .I would have shed them as soon as I was out of sight of my mother. Granted, when I see old movies, the men and women look very elegant with all their fashionable accessories, but I prefer simplicity for myself.
Maria, it’s funny how some of us just feel that hats don’t look right on us. I have occassionally tried a floppy straw hat on thinking it might be fun for summer, and always feel that I look silly in them. So that’s that!
Maria, it’s funny how some of us just feel that hats don’t look right on us. I have occassionally tried a floppy straw hat on thinking it might be fun for summer, and always feel that I look silly in them. So that’s that!
Maria, it’s funny how some of us just feel that hats don’t look right on us. I have occassionally tried a floppy straw hat on thinking it might be fun for summer, and always feel that I look silly in them. So that’s that!
Maria, it’s funny how some of us just feel that hats don’t look right on us. I have occassionally tried a floppy straw hat on thinking it might be fun for summer, and always feel that I look silly in them. So that’s that!
Maria, it’s funny how some of us just feel that hats don’t look right on us. I have occassionally tried a floppy straw hat on thinking it might be fun for summer, and always feel that I look silly in them. So that’s that!
When I lived in Boston hats were required in winter if I did not want to develop headaches from the cold and to keep my ears from freezing as I walked between classes and to/from the T (the Boston subway/trolley system). Now I live in Washington where the winters are not so cold and hats no longer required.
I do like hats. My hats sit on a shelf at the top of the coat closet, but I usually forget to look up and so don’t see or think about putting on a hat. Whether or not I look good in them depends on how my hair is cut, as certain styles look better when my hair is short and others when my hair is longer. When I do remember — usually in the summer as a form of sun block — I’m actually quite pleased, as I do think they complete an outfit. Even if it’s just jeans and a t-shirt they add a little something extra that lifts it out of the ordinary.
When I lived in Boston hats were required in winter if I did not want to develop headaches from the cold and to keep my ears from freezing as I walked between classes and to/from the T (the Boston subway/trolley system). Now I live in Washington where the winters are not so cold and hats no longer required.
I do like hats. My hats sit on a shelf at the top of the coat closet, but I usually forget to look up and so don’t see or think about putting on a hat. Whether or not I look good in them depends on how my hair is cut, as certain styles look better when my hair is short and others when my hair is longer. When I do remember — usually in the summer as a form of sun block — I’m actually quite pleased, as I do think they complete an outfit. Even if it’s just jeans and a t-shirt they add a little something extra that lifts it out of the ordinary.
When I lived in Boston hats were required in winter if I did not want to develop headaches from the cold and to keep my ears from freezing as I walked between classes and to/from the T (the Boston subway/trolley system). Now I live in Washington where the winters are not so cold and hats no longer required.
I do like hats. My hats sit on a shelf at the top of the coat closet, but I usually forget to look up and so don’t see or think about putting on a hat. Whether or not I look good in them depends on how my hair is cut, as certain styles look better when my hair is short and others when my hair is longer. When I do remember — usually in the summer as a form of sun block — I’m actually quite pleased, as I do think they complete an outfit. Even if it’s just jeans and a t-shirt they add a little something extra that lifts it out of the ordinary.
When I lived in Boston hats were required in winter if I did not want to develop headaches from the cold and to keep my ears from freezing as I walked between classes and to/from the T (the Boston subway/trolley system). Now I live in Washington where the winters are not so cold and hats no longer required.
I do like hats. My hats sit on a shelf at the top of the coat closet, but I usually forget to look up and so don’t see or think about putting on a hat. Whether or not I look good in them depends on how my hair is cut, as certain styles look better when my hair is short and others when my hair is longer. When I do remember — usually in the summer as a form of sun block — I’m actually quite pleased, as I do think they complete an outfit. Even if it’s just jeans and a t-shirt they add a little something extra that lifts it out of the ordinary.
When I lived in Boston hats were required in winter if I did not want to develop headaches from the cold and to keep my ears from freezing as I walked between classes and to/from the T (the Boston subway/trolley system). Now I live in Washington where the winters are not so cold and hats no longer required.
I do like hats. My hats sit on a shelf at the top of the coat closet, but I usually forget to look up and so don’t see or think about putting on a hat. Whether or not I look good in them depends on how my hair is cut, as certain styles look better when my hair is short and others when my hair is longer. When I do remember — usually in the summer as a form of sun block — I’m actually quite pleased, as I do think they complete an outfit. Even if it’s just jeans and a t-shirt they add a little something extra that lifts it out of the ordinary.
Susan/DC, I bet you look very stylish in your hats. There is something very polished about a hat topping off an outfit, but alas, I never seem to be able pull it off. So hatless I usually go!
Susan/DC, I bet you look very stylish in your hats. There is something very polished about a hat topping off an outfit, but alas, I never seem to be able pull it off. So hatless I usually go!
Susan/DC, I bet you look very stylish in your hats. There is something very polished about a hat topping off an outfit, but alas, I never seem to be able pull it off. So hatless I usually go!
Susan/DC, I bet you look very stylish in your hats. There is something very polished about a hat topping off an outfit, but alas, I never seem to be able pull it off. So hatless I usually go!
Susan/DC, I bet you look very stylish in your hats. There is something very polished about a hat topping off an outfit, but alas, I never seem to be able pull it off. So hatless I usually go!
I like hats, but they don’t like me. When I was younger I tried to wear them. In fact I had several I carried around for years. Now, I wear a sun-visor when necessary. I do have some winter hats that don’t get much use these days.
I like hats, but they don’t like me. When I was younger I tried to wear them. In fact I had several I carried around for years. Now, I wear a sun-visor when necessary. I do have some winter hats that don’t get much use these days.
I like hats, but they don’t like me. When I was younger I tried to wear them. In fact I had several I carried around for years. Now, I wear a sun-visor when necessary. I do have some winter hats that don’t get much use these days.
I like hats, but they don’t like me. When I was younger I tried to wear them. In fact I had several I carried around for years. Now, I wear a sun-visor when necessary. I do have some winter hats that don’t get much use these days.
I like hats, but they don’t like me. When I was younger I tried to wear them. In fact I had several I carried around for years. Now, I wear a sun-visor when necessary. I do have some winter hats that don’t get much use these days.
I love hats and really enjoyed this post. And while I mainly prefer simple and comfortable clothes, I miss the days of elegant clothes with hats and gloves. The only time I get to wear a hat anymore is to the Ky. Derby, where a hat is de rigueur –
http://www.kentuckyderby.com/news/photos/derby-hats
I love hats and really enjoyed this post. And while I mainly prefer simple and comfortable clothes, I miss the days of elegant clothes with hats and gloves. The only time I get to wear a hat anymore is to the Ky. Derby, where a hat is de rigueur –
http://www.kentuckyderby.com/news/photos/derby-hats
I love hats and really enjoyed this post. And while I mainly prefer simple and comfortable clothes, I miss the days of elegant clothes with hats and gloves. The only time I get to wear a hat anymore is to the Ky. Derby, where a hat is de rigueur –
http://www.kentuckyderby.com/news/photos/derby-hats
I love hats and really enjoyed this post. And while I mainly prefer simple and comfortable clothes, I miss the days of elegant clothes with hats and gloves. The only time I get to wear a hat anymore is to the Ky. Derby, where a hat is de rigueur –
http://www.kentuckyderby.com/news/photos/derby-hats
I love hats and really enjoyed this post. And while I mainly prefer simple and comfortable clothes, I miss the days of elegant clothes with hats and gloves. The only time I get to wear a hat anymore is to the Ky. Derby, where a hat is de rigueur –
http://www.kentuckyderby.com/news/photos/derby-hats
I am like the rest of you, hats for practical reasons–cold ,sun.
I remember going to the milliner with my mother, who always wore hats and looked wonderful in them. It was fun to sit and watch as the saleswoman brought out hat after hat to be tried on. As the hats were not cheap, it was important to get one that you would like for a few years. My mother had 4-5 hats for each season.
Along with the hats, she also wore gloves (white cotton in the summer, leather in the winter) which, besides being fashionable, were good protection against newspaper ink.
I am like the rest of you, hats for practical reasons–cold ,sun.
I remember going to the milliner with my mother, who always wore hats and looked wonderful in them. It was fun to sit and watch as the saleswoman brought out hat after hat to be tried on. As the hats were not cheap, it was important to get one that you would like for a few years. My mother had 4-5 hats for each season.
Along with the hats, she also wore gloves (white cotton in the summer, leather in the winter) which, besides being fashionable, were good protection against newspaper ink.
I am like the rest of you, hats for practical reasons–cold ,sun.
I remember going to the milliner with my mother, who always wore hats and looked wonderful in them. It was fun to sit and watch as the saleswoman brought out hat after hat to be tried on. As the hats were not cheap, it was important to get one that you would like for a few years. My mother had 4-5 hats for each season.
Along with the hats, she also wore gloves (white cotton in the summer, leather in the winter) which, besides being fashionable, were good protection against newspaper ink.
I am like the rest of you, hats for practical reasons–cold ,sun.
I remember going to the milliner with my mother, who always wore hats and looked wonderful in them. It was fun to sit and watch as the saleswoman brought out hat after hat to be tried on. As the hats were not cheap, it was important to get one that you would like for a few years. My mother had 4-5 hats for each season.
Along with the hats, she also wore gloves (white cotton in the summer, leather in the winter) which, besides being fashionable, were good protection against newspaper ink.
I am like the rest of you, hats for practical reasons–cold ,sun.
I remember going to the milliner with my mother, who always wore hats and looked wonderful in them. It was fun to sit and watch as the saleswoman brought out hat after hat to be tried on. As the hats were not cheap, it was important to get one that you would like for a few years. My mother had 4-5 hats for each season.
Along with the hats, she also wore gloves (white cotton in the summer, leather in the winter) which, besides being fashionable, were good protection against newspaper ink.
Ella, sounds like we can start a Bare-headed Lady’s brigade!
Ella, sounds like we can start a Bare-headed Lady’s brigade!
Ella, sounds like we can start a Bare-headed Lady’s brigade!
Ella, sounds like we can start a Bare-headed Lady’s brigade!
Ella, sounds like we can start a Bare-headed Lady’s brigade!
Oh, Donna, the KY Derby always looks so chic with the women in their stylish hats! I like looking, but fear I’d look silly trying to carry it off. The pics of Royal Ascot are wonderful too. Top hats are required for men to enter the Royal enclosure. I rather like that! So would beau Brummel.
Oh, Donna, the KY Derby always looks so chic with the women in their stylish hats! I like looking, but fear I’d look silly trying to carry it off. The pics of Royal Ascot are wonderful too. Top hats are required for men to enter the Royal enclosure. I rather like that! So would beau Brummel.
Oh, Donna, the KY Derby always looks so chic with the women in their stylish hats! I like looking, but fear I’d look silly trying to carry it off. The pics of Royal Ascot are wonderful too. Top hats are required for men to enter the Royal enclosure. I rather like that! So would beau Brummel.
Oh, Donna, the KY Derby always looks so chic with the women in their stylish hats! I like looking, but fear I’d look silly trying to carry it off. The pics of Royal Ascot are wonderful too. Top hats are required for men to enter the Royal enclosure. I rather like that! So would beau Brummel.
Oh, Donna, the KY Derby always looks so chic with the women in their stylish hats! I like looking, but fear I’d look silly trying to carry it off. The pics of Royal Ascot are wonderful too. Top hats are required for men to enter the Royal enclosure. I rather like that! So would beau Brummel.
Alison,what fun memories. I doubt today that any kid knows what a milliner is, much less has ever seen a shop or set foot in one!
Alison,what fun memories. I doubt today that any kid knows what a milliner is, much less has ever seen a shop or set foot in one!
Alison,what fun memories. I doubt today that any kid knows what a milliner is, much less has ever seen a shop or set foot in one!
Alison,what fun memories. I doubt today that any kid knows what a milliner is, much less has ever seen a shop or set foot in one!
Alison,what fun memories. I doubt today that any kid knows what a milliner is, much less has ever seen a shop or set foot in one!
Back when we were active in going to horse shows I wore a ten gallon cowboy hat.
Nowadays I favor a cap with favorite feed store logo on it.
Interesting history about hats.
Back when we were active in going to horse shows I wore a ten gallon cowboy hat.
Nowadays I favor a cap with favorite feed store logo on it.
Interesting history about hats.
Back when we were active in going to horse shows I wore a ten gallon cowboy hat.
Nowadays I favor a cap with favorite feed store logo on it.
Interesting history about hats.
Back when we were active in going to horse shows I wore a ten gallon cowboy hat.
Nowadays I favor a cap with favorite feed store logo on it.
Interesting history about hats.
Back when we were active in going to horse shows I wore a ten gallon cowboy hat.
Nowadays I favor a cap with favorite feed store logo on it.
Interesting history about hats.
Louis, I bet you looked as dashingly handsome in your ten-gallon cowboy hat as our Regency heroes look in their Lock & Co. curly brim beaver hats!
Louis, I bet you looked as dashingly handsome in your ten-gallon cowboy hat as our Regency heroes look in their Lock & Co. curly brim beaver hats!
Louis, I bet you looked as dashingly handsome in your ten-gallon cowboy hat as our Regency heroes look in their Lock & Co. curly brim beaver hats!
Louis, I bet you looked as dashingly handsome in your ten-gallon cowboy hat as our Regency heroes look in their Lock & Co. curly brim beaver hats!
Louis, I bet you looked as dashingly handsome in your ten-gallon cowboy hat as our Regency heroes look in their Lock & Co. curly brim beaver hats!
Great post, Cara/Andrea. I once named a cat after the Trilby character in the Du Maurier novel.We were moving house for the umpteenth time, and as we were traveling to and fro between the old and the new house, I was listening to the novel which was being serialized on the radio. On the first night in the new house, I was walking around the neighborhood, getting my bearings, and I found a little gray kitten, dumped in a bin, crying piteously. So I fished her out and took her home and named her Trilby. She was a very special cat, too.
Great post, Cara/Andrea. I once named a cat after the Trilby character in the Du Maurier novel.We were moving house for the umpteenth time, and as we were traveling to and fro between the old and the new house, I was listening to the novel which was being serialized on the radio. On the first night in the new house, I was walking around the neighborhood, getting my bearings, and I found a little gray kitten, dumped in a bin, crying piteously. So I fished her out and took her home and named her Trilby. She was a very special cat, too.
Great post, Cara/Andrea. I once named a cat after the Trilby character in the Du Maurier novel.We were moving house for the umpteenth time, and as we were traveling to and fro between the old and the new house, I was listening to the novel which was being serialized on the radio. On the first night in the new house, I was walking around the neighborhood, getting my bearings, and I found a little gray kitten, dumped in a bin, crying piteously. So I fished her out and took her home and named her Trilby. She was a very special cat, too.
Great post, Cara/Andrea. I once named a cat after the Trilby character in the Du Maurier novel.We were moving house for the umpteenth time, and as we were traveling to and fro between the old and the new house, I was listening to the novel which was being serialized on the radio. On the first night in the new house, I was walking around the neighborhood, getting my bearings, and I found a little gray kitten, dumped in a bin, crying piteously. So I fished her out and took her home and named her Trilby. She was a very special cat, too.
Great post, Cara/Andrea. I once named a cat after the Trilby character in the Du Maurier novel.We were moving house for the umpteenth time, and as we were traveling to and fro between the old and the new house, I was listening to the novel which was being serialized on the radio. On the first night in the new house, I was walking around the neighborhood, getting my bearings, and I found a little gray kitten, dumped in a bin, crying piteously. So I fished her out and took her home and named her Trilby. She was a very special cat, too.